Zack Colman
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climate & energy reporter @politico. @KSJatMIT & @michiganstateu alum. zcolman@politico.com SIGNAL: zcolman.75 (RT≠endorsement)
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Articles by Zack Colman
New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled back regulations on a major global warming pollutant — just days after a satellite discovered a large plume of methane pouring out of oil and gas wells near the Lubbock, Texas, campaign rally where Trump made his announcement. Governments and the private sector are deploying a wave of new technology to pinpoint methane leaks like never before.
New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug.
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Trump kills methane rule days after a plume was found near his rally
Environment 1 hour ago 14 Things Ancient Ice Cores Reveal About the Last Ice Ages Dino World - Sameen David • 1h Stick with us to the end: one simple backyard trick lets you read climate history the same way scientists do with million-year-old ice. Scientists … Climate 6 hours ago Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling NPR - The Associated Press • 6h BILLINGS, Mont.
New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug.
A technological revolution is colliding with political decisions in the U.S. and Europe to weaken climate regulations on the potent gas. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday.
Trump kills methane rule days after a plume was found near his rally
President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled back regulations on a major global warming pollutant — just days after a satellite discovered a large plume of methane pouring out of oil and gas wells near the Lubbock, Texas, campaign rally where Trump made his announcement. Governments and the private sector are deploying a wave of new technology to pinpoint methane leaks like never before.
New satellites see thousands of methane leaks. Governments shrug.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled back regulations on a major global warming pollutant — just days after a satellite discovered a large plume of methane pouring out of oil and gas wells near the Lubbock, Texas, campaign rally where Trump made his announcement. Governments and the private sector are deploying a wave of new technology to pinpoint methane leaks like never before.
‘We don't need 50 more data centers.' Arizona AG declares war on AI.
Attorney General Kris Mayes has broken with other Democratic leaders who say the AI hubs help drive the state's high-tech aspirations. Democrat Kris Mayes, insisted that there's no contradiction in pursuing a tech boom while also preventing Arizona's water from falling victim to it. | Mario Tama/Getty Images 10/26/2026 5:00 AM EDT Share Arizona leaders want the state to be a high-tech hub for making semiconductors, clean energy components and artificial intelligence software.
‘We don’t need 50 more data centers.’ Arizona AG declares war on AI.
Arizona leaders want the state to be a high-tech hub for making semiconductors, clean energy components and artificial intelligence software. But the desert state's water shortage is pushing some officials to propose tempering its soaring growth in data centers — a move that could test Arizona's aspirations of becoming a technological superpower.
POLITICO: ‘AI killed the climate star’ – ‘Google says its huge energy uptake for data centers is jeopardizing its climate goals’
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-surge/2026/10/14/ai-killed-the-climate-star-01117484 By ZACK COLMAN The tech industry is the new kingmaker of the energy world — and it’s about to face some major climate tests. Take Google. Six years ago, the company pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. Then came the artificial intelligence boom. The tech giant saw its carbon emissions rise 18% in 2025 compared to 2024 as it increasingly uses natural gas to power its data centers.
AI killed the climate star
With help from Benjamin Storrow and Sara Schonhardt in the U.S., Brian Dabbs in Singapore, Charlie Cooper in the United Kingdom, Zia Weise in Belgium, Elena Giordano, Alexandre Léchenet and Nicolas Camut in France, and Mike Blanchfield in Canada. Google says its huge energy uptake for data centers is jeopardizing its climate goals. President Donald Trump is in Democrats' heads on offshore wind. The EU is tumbling back into its debate over renewable energy versus nuclear power.
Google’s biggest AI problem is the power grid
Google is wrestling with its new role as an energy power player — one that's thrust the tech giant into the world of arcane electric grid policy while it tries to defray the white-hot backlash against data centers. For a company that is driving the future of artificial intelligence, the slow pace of tapping into U.S. grids to power its data operations is its most threatening test, Marsden Hanna, Google's head of energy and sustainability policy, told POLITICO's Energy podcast.
POLITICO Pro: Power sector struggles to find consensus on permitting bill
The bipartisan legislation took lawmakers years to pull together. Now utilities are struggling to get on the same page. The Senate's landmark energy permitting bill is aimed at speeding up power projects across the country — but the companies in charge of building those projects can’t yet agree on whether they support it.
POLITICO: ‘How the Iran war is helping the climate’ – ‘Leading to lower carbon emissions globally’
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-surge/2026/09/24/how-the-iran-war-is-helping-the-climate-01091344 By ZACK COLMAN Excerpt: The Iran war is leading to lower carbon emissions globally. The Iran war is leading to lower carbon emissions globally. Why energy markets are watching the Trump-Xi summit closely. The U.S. Energy secretary applauded China’s expansion of EVs. Huh. President Donald Trump’s war in Iran may accelerate the arrival of peak fossil fuel demand — and help the climate.
California AG takes aim at Trump's links to Big Oil
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‘Love letter’: California AG takes aim at Trump’s links to Big Oil
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is angling for a high-profile legal fight with the president that he says could derail the administration's sweeping effort to gut climate regulations. The Democrat has led lawsuits to stop the Trump administration from canceling offshore wind projects, withholding clean energy funding and eliminating hallmark climate pollution rules. His biggest test is a likely Supreme Court matchup.
How a diesel ban could burn US credibility
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Trump’s diesel threat risks burning U.S. credibility
Lifestyle 5 hours ago The senators spending the most on flights Axios - Stef W. Kight • 5h Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has spent more taxpayer money on travel than any other senator's office since the fall of 2024 — including $625,000 on … Black Community 5 hours ago Trump Is Up Against An Opponent He Can't Bully: Numbers levelman.com - Wayne Ince • 5h I sprinted through the rain to Publix and got there breathless, shirt stuck to my back. The run was the easy part.
How a diesel ban could burn US credibility
President Donald Trump's threat to curtail diesel shipments abroad comes with a risk: the perception that he's reneging on his promise to shower the world with U.S. fuels. That move would inflame tensions between the U.S. and Europe while jeopardizing American credibility as a trading partner, energy experts and administration allies said. And it could compel nations to seek other suppliers, limiting Trump's ability to wield energy as a negotiating tool in the future, they added.
How the Iran war is helping the climate
With help from Benjamin Storrow and Sara Schonhardt in the U.S., Charlie Cooper in the United Kingdom, Joana Lehner in Germany, Zia Weise in Belgium, Nicolas Camut in France, Mike Blanchfield in Canada, and Brian Dabbs in Singapore. The Iran war is leading to lower carbon emissions globally. Why energy markets are watching the Trump-Xi summit closely. The U.S. Energy secretary applauded China's expansion of EVs. Huh.
Climate inflation is here
With help from Benjamin Storrow in the U.S., Charlie Cooper in the United Kingdom, Nicolas Camut in France, Zia Weise in Belgium, Mike Blanchfield in Canada, and Brian Dabbs in Singapore. It's not just energy. Climate change is also making goods more expensive. The U.S. and the U.K. have similar wind power problems. (It's not Trump.) We nabbed a word with the United States' nuclear regulator, who's convinced America is aces.
POLITICO claims: ‘Climate inflation is here’ – ‘Climate change is already here & it’s already impacting our pocketbooks’ – ‘Climateflation is a key factor in rising electricity costs’
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-surge/2026/09/18/climate-inflation-01083586 ‘Climate change is also making goods more expensive’ BY ZACK COLMAN Excerpt: DISASTER TAX: Wars and tariffs may get the blame for inflation, but they have a costly accomplice: climate change. The greenhouse gases blanketing the atmosphere are already costing U.S. households between $400 and $900 a year.
Trade wars are going electric. The planet could pay the price.
BRUSSELS — Import limits on solar technology. Export controls on critical minerals. Rising tariffs on photovoltaic cells, electric vehicles and batteries. The list of trade barriers grows every day, in countries around the world, ensnaring an electrification supply chain that is crucial to slashing global fossil fuel use, meeting rising power demand and staunching the rise of electricity bills.
How Georgia's GOP learned to love solar
CARTERSVILLE, Georgia — The solar industry is converting Republican politicians one factory at a time. President Donald Trump has called solar power "the scam of the century" in his effort to roll back the Biden climate agenda, and brought most of his party along with him — at least in Washington. But here in Bartow County, where Trump earned three-quarters of the vote in 2024, local Republicans are the most fervent boosters of the nearly mile-long factory opened in June by Hanwha Qcells.
Trade wars target the energy transition
With help from Benjamin Storrow, Corbin Hiar and Sara Schonhardt in the U.S., Brian Dabbs in Singapore, Charlie Cooper in the United Kingdon, Alexandre Léchenet and Nicolas Camut in France, and Mike Blanchfield in Canada. Clean energy is a casualty of global trade wars. Top EU official Teresa Ribera says data centers can be “demanded” to make renewable power. Offshore wind facilities are making a buzz in America.
POLITICO Pro: How Georgia's GOP learned to love solar
A Georgia solar-panel factory — and the jobs it provides — is making renewable energy fans out of state Republicans. CARTERSVILLE, Georgia — The solar industry is converting Republican politicians one factory at a time. President Donald Trump has called solar power “the scam of the century” in his effort to roll back the Biden climate agenda, and brought most of his party along with him — at least in Washington.
E&E News: NOAA to end support for Arctic climate change report
The authors were informed Monday of the action, which jeopardizes public dissemination of the report on the fast-changing region. CLIMATEWIRE | The Trump administration will end support for a major annual scientific report that documents how climate change is affecting the Arctic, according to two people familiar with the issue.
POLITICO Pro: NOAA to end support for Arctic climate change report
The authors were informed Monday of the action, which jeopardizes public dissemination of the report on the fast-changing region. The Trump administration will end support for a major annual scientific report that documents how climate change is affecting the Arctic, according to two people familiar with the issue.
E&E News: UN chief: El Niño a ‘warm-up act’ for climate change
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres implored nations to slash fossil fuel use as record heat and wildfires affect large areas of the globe. GREENWIRE | The El Niño pattern that's supercharging disasters in much of the world is a glimpse of what's coming as temperatures rise because of fossil fuel use, said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday.
CLIMATEWIRE | The jockeying for Democrats’ future blueprint on climate and clean energy has begun. A collection of former Biden administration officials, academics and policy experts on Thursday released what they described as a counterweight to the conservative Project 2025, the policy handbook written by many former — and now current — Trump administration officials. The 19 authors wanted to stake their place as Democrats search for how to articulate climate and clean energy policies.
EPA held three going-away parties for Aaron Szabo, but he has reversed course and remains at the agency. E&E DAILY | Aaron Szabo, the head of EPA’s powerful air office, is staying at the agency despite announcing to staff earlier this month that he would depart as of July 17. Szabo remains listed as assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation on EPA’s website, and the agency quoted him in press releases as recently as Monday.
E&E News: Forest Service overhaul puts wildfire science on chopping block
A third of the research offices the agency is evaluating to possibly close work in climate adaptation and wildfire prevention. GREENWIRE | A Forest Service reorganization could shutter offices on the leading edge of wildfire prevention research as the nation copes with an already abnormally active season, according to an internal list of office responsibilities obtained by POLITICO.
‘A better way to be relevant’: Greens embrace data center fight
The nation's biggest green groups have joined the fray over data centers — and they're starting to notch some victories after 18 months of stinging environmental setbacks under the Trump administration.
E&E News: ‘A better way to be relevant’: Greens embrace data center fight
Opposition to the massive developments has given environmental groups a new rallying cause — and fundraising pitch. GREENWIRE | The nation’s biggest green groups have joined the fray over data centers — and they’re starting to notch some victories after 18 months of stinging environmental setbacks under the Trump administration.
GOP governors, utilities join Trump data center pledge
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World News 10 hours ago UAE's big bet on AI Axios - Mike Allen • 10h In Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, AI is as much a part of daily life as reporting a pothole or making a doctor's … Politics 12 hours ago Hayes: ICE killings expose illusion of Trump’s ‘quieter’ crackdown MS NOW - MSNBC • 12h After the massive public outcry to the Minnesota ICE operation, Donald Trump and Stephen Miller lost the public and were forced to retreat.
By Jason Plautz Verified, Zack Colman Verified, Kelsey Tamborrino Verified, Christa Marshall Verified
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The governors of Montana, Wyoming and Missouri are endorsing the White House's effort to control data centers' effect on energy prices. ENERGYWIRE | President Donald Trump is expanding his data center pledge to include some Republican governors and several large utilities, according to state officials and industry executives. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Missouri Gov.
By Jason Plautz Verified, Zack Colman Verified, Kelsey Tamborrino Verified, Christa Marshall Verified
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GOP governors, utilities join Trump data center pledge
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Jason Plautz, Zack Colman, Kelsey Tamborrino and Christa Marshall President Donald Trump is expanding his data center pledge to include some Republican governors and several large utilities according to state officials and industry executives. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Missouri Gov.
By Jason Plautz Verified, Zack Colman Verified, Kelsey Tamborrino Verified, Christa Marshall Verified
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GOP governors, utilities join Trump data center pledge Original
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The governors of Montana, Wyoming and Missouri are endorsing the White House's effort to control data centers' effect on energy prices. President Donald Trump speaks at the unveiling of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the White House in March. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP 07/14/2026 08:30 PM EDT President Donald Trump is expanding his data center pledge to include some Republican governors and several large utilities according to state officials and industry executives. Montana Gov.
By Jason Plautz Verified, Zack Colman Verified, Kelsey Tamborrino Verified, Christa Marshall Verified
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POLITICO
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E&E News: NY governor: ‘Do not question my credentials’ on climate, clean energy
While New York pushed back a near-term climate goal, Gov. Kathy Hochul touted the state’s solar deployment, a major new transmission line and plans to boost nuclear power to achieve its 2050 net-zero target. CLIMATEWIRE | Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is defending her decision to walk back New York’s carbon emissions targets, telling POLITICO the state is committed to fighting climate change but that it cannot hit its near-term goals while keeping energy affordable for residents.
Hochul: ‘Do not question my credentials’ on climate, clean energy
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is defending her decision to walk back New York's carbon emissions targets, telling POLITICO the state is committed to fighting climate change but that it cannot hit its near-term goals while keeping energy affordable for residents.
Nowy front walki między USA a UE. Amerykański sektor energetyczny stawia Europę pod ścianą. "Nie ma absolutnie takiej możliwości"
Amerykański przemysł naftowo-gazowy odniósł sukces w eksporcie ogromnych ilości gazu ziemnego do Europy. Wygląda na to, że teraz, z pomocą urzędników Białego Domu, może udać mu się również eksport programu deregulacyjnego administracji Trumpa. Obecnie sektor ten próbuje wywrzeć presję na Komisję Europejską, by opóźniła wprowadzenie przepisów mających być kluczowym narzędziem w walce z poważnym zanieczyszczeniem klimatu.
If his deregulatory actions survive judicial scrutiny, Aaron Szabo will have played a key role in reshaping EPA’s regulatory power. CLIMATEWIRE | Aaron Szabo, the head of EPA’s air office who has overseen a dramatic scaling back of climate regulations, is leaving the agency. Szabo will exit EPA, the agency’s press office confirmed on Tuesday. Just shy of a year ago, he was confirmed by the Senate to the powerful post leading the Office of Air and Radiation.
USA i lobby energetyczne naciskają na Brukselę. Unia opóźnia walkę z emisjami metanu
Branża próbuje postawić Komisję Europejską pod ścianą, by opóźnić wprowadzenie zasad, które miały być kluczowym narzędziem walki z emisjami gazu poważnie szkodzącego klimatu. Przekonała do swoich racji ponad połowę z 27 krajów członkowskich, które wraz z amerykańskim sekretarzem ds. energii, Chrisem Wrightem, apelują o szybkie zmiany w tych przepisach.
‘Can you help us?’: US oil execs turn to Trump to topple Europe's climate rules
The U.S. oil and gas industry has succeeded in exporting massive amounts of natural gas to Europe. Now, with the help of White House officials, it looks like it might also succeed in exporting the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda. Now the sector is attempting to strong-arm the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, into delaying the rollout of what the bloc intended to be a major rule to curb a potent climate pollution.
E&E News: Trump EPA air chief heads for the exit
If his deregulatory actions survive judicial scrutiny, Aaron Szabo will have played a key role in reshaping EPA’s regulatory power. GREENWIRE | Aaron Szabo, the head of EPA’s air office who has overseen a dramatic scaling back of climate regulations, is leaving the agency. Szabo will exit EPA, the agency’s press office confirmed on Tuesday. Just shy of a year ago, he was confirmed by the Senate to the powerful post leading the Office of Air and Radiation.
E&E News: ‘Can you help us?’: US oil execs turn to Trump to topple Europe’s climate rules
Here's an inside look at how a climate regulation became a battleground between the U.S. and Europe. CLIMATEWIRE | The U.S. oil and gas industry has succeeded in exporting massive amounts of natural gas to Europe. Now, with the help of White House officials, it looks like it might also succeed in exporting the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda.
‘Can you help us?’: US oil execs turn to Trump to topple Europe's climate rules
1:23 14 hours ago Hillside near Mt. Shasta reveals 200 solar-powered speakers KCRA • 14h A Siskiyou County horseback rider helped uncover a mystery at Mt. Shasta that has captivated many online, wondering what the strange sights—and sounds— were. "Where is this coming from?" Karie Ann Snure said.
A ballooning problem: Weather warnings face rising risks from budget cuts
Early in the evening of April 13, the skies over central Kansas darkened as a sudden severe storm developed, hurling baseball-sized hail across three counties and producing two tornadoes. That type of extreme weather is common across the Great Plains, but what was unusual was that the forecast from the regional storm center had predicted clear skies. The problem, according to local emergency managers: the lack of critical data due to cuts to weather monitoring by the Trump administration.
‘This is not normal’: Trump leans on MAGA organizer to revive coal
Live Updates: Trump says "settlement" reached on Iran, signing could be as soon as this weekend What to know about the Iran war today: President Trump said Thursday that a "great settlement" has been reached, and a signing could take place as …
The Energy Department is giving millions to a company partially led by a far-right activist and telecom executive to build the nation’s first coal-fired power plant since 2013. CLIMATEWIRE | A man the Trump administration picked to be a key player at the fore of a U.S. coal renaissance is likely more familiar to QAnon circles than energy ones. TerraSpark’s project carries big promises.
Trump's coal vision lifts MAGA organizer with scant energy track record Original
The Energy Department is giving millions to a company partially led by a far-right activist and telecom executive to build the nation's first coal-fired power plant since 2013.
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